Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) Practice Exam

In case of a 70-year-old patient who is unresponsive following IV sedation, what medication should be anticipated for administration?

1. Atropine 0.5mg to 1.0mg

2. Naloxone 0.1mg to 0.2mg

3. Naloxone 0.6mg to 2.0mg

4. Atropine 1.5mg to 2.0mg

The correct answer is: Naloxone 0.1mg to 0.2mg

In a situation where a 70-year-old patient is unresponsive following IV sedation, the appropriate medication to anticipate for administration is naloxone. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist specifically used to reverse the effects of opioid sedation and respiratory depression. In the context of sedation, particularly if there is a concern that the sedation was due to opioids, administering naloxone can effectively restore the patient's level of consciousness and support adequate breathing. The recommended starting dose for naloxone can vary, but in many acute care settings, a dose of 0.1mg to 0.2mg may be sufficient to elicit a response. If the initial dose does not result in adequate improvement, further doses can be given until the desired effect is observed. The other options, which include various doses of atropine, are not appropriate in this scenario. Atropine is typically used to manage bradycardia or to dry secretions, rather than to reverse sedation from opioid agents. Therefore, in the case of unresponsiveness following sedation, naloxone stands out as the essential medication for quickly addressing potential opioid-induced respiratory depression and restoring the patient’s responsiveness.